The Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan Abstract Following its commitment to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity the UK began to develop a policy and strategy framework, beginning with Biodiversity Action Plans and recently with a focus on ecological networks and green infrastructure. This project contributed to Worcestershire’s Biodiversity Action Plan review process by demonstrating how green infrastructure (GI) can be identified and delivered in the Urban Habitat Action Plan. GI provides multifunctional benefits, so will help encourage biodiversity through a wide network of green spaces and corridors in urban and natural environments. It is crucial that biodiversity is conserved and sustainably managed for future generations because it provides direct and indirect services for people, such as food and climate regulation. i Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 H14 Urban HAP Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... iii Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... iv 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Current Status ................................................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Description of habitat............................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Green Infrastructure typology .................................................................................................. 3 2.3 Description of Key Species ........................................................................................................ 7 2.3.1 Slow-worm Anguis fragilis ................................................................................................ 8 2.3.2 European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus ........................................................................ 9 2.3.3 House Sparrow Passer domesticus .................................................................................. 10 2.3.4 Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus ............................................................................. 11 2.3.5 Water vole Arvicola terrestris ......................................................................................... 12 2.3.6 Pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus spp. ........................................................................................ 13 2.4 Legislation and Policy Drivers ................................................................................................. 14 2.5 Summary of Important Sites ................................................................................................... 14 3 Current Pressures .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Factors Affecting Habitats and Species ................................................................................... 17 3.2 Slow-worm Case Study ........................................................................................................... 17 4 Current Action ............................................................................................................................... 18 4.1 Delivering and Protecting GI through Policy and Legislation ................................................... 18 4.1.1 Worcestershire Local Sites (LS’s) ..................................................................................... 18 4.1.2 Local Plan Documents (LPDs) .......................................................................................... 19 4.2 Ongoing Management of GI Habitat Assets ............................................................................ 21 4.3 Taking Action for Priority Species in the Urban Environment .................................................. 22 4.3.1 Sanders Park, Bromsgrove Case Study ............................................................................ 22 4.3.2 Lansdowne Crescent Allotments ..................................................................................... 23 4.4 Survey, Research, and Monitoring of GI Assets and Urban Wildlife ......................................... 23 5 References ..................................................................................................................................... 24 ii Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 H14 Urban HAP Table of Figures Figure 1 Map of Worcestershire County. Data from the WBRC (2018) ..................................................... 2 Figure 2 Identification of main GI typologies as a combination of different vegetation layers, ground surfaces and building structures (Koc, Osmond, & Peters, 2016) .............................................................. 4 Figure 3 Worcester City has 26 allotments that vary in location and number of plots available to rent. Data from WBRC (2018) .......................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 4 Slow-worm colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018)................................................ 8 Figure 5 Hedgehog colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018). ................................................ 9 Figure 6 House sparrow colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018). ....................................... 10 Figure 7 Great crested newt colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018). ................................ 11 Figure 8 Water vole colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018). ............................................. 12 Figure 9 Pipistrellus spp. colonies in Worcestershire. Data from WBRC (2018). ...................................... 13 Figure 10 Lansdowne allotments in Worcester City. ............................................................................... 14 Figure 11 Map of Wyre Forest (Natural England, Wyre Forest: National Nature Reserve, 2010) ............. 16 Figure 12 Delivering GI at different scales (modified from (Worcestershire County Council, 2015)) ....... 22 iii Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 H14 Urban HAP Abbreviations AW Ancient Woodland BAP Biodiversity Action Plan CBD Convention on Biological Diversity Defra Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs EU European Union GI Green Infrastructure HAP Habitat Action Plan LNR Local Nature Reserve LDP Local Development Plan LS Local Site NCA National Character Area NEA National Ecosystem Assessment NERC Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act NNR National Nature Reserve PPS12 Policy Planning Statement 12 SAC Special Area of Conservation SAP Species Action Plan SPA Special Protection Area SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest SWS Special Wildlife Sites UK United Kingdom VT Veteran Tree WBRC Worcestershire Biological Records Centre iv Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan 2018 H14 Urban HAP Urban Habitat Action Plan 1 Introduction Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 12 defines green infrastructure (GI) as “a network of multi-functional green space, both new and existing, both rural and urban, which supports the natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities” (British Parliament, 2008). In 2013, the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Partnership published the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy (WGIS), which put the environment front and center during development and planning because it offers multiple economic, health and social benefits (Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Partnership, 2013). This action plan is necessary because biodiversity loss continues across the UK. Biodiversity and the natural environment provide benefits to communities, but in recent years, according to the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) published in June 2011, “continuing pressures are causing deterioration” of ecosystems and habitats (HM Government, 2011). Fragmentation is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss. In 2008, 43% of priority habitats and 31% of priority species were still declining across the UK (HM Government, 2011). This action plan also primarily focuses on the urban biodiversity in Worcestershire. Urban biodiversity incorporates a variety of living organisms located in urban developments, such as cities, whose habitats and ecological systems are impacted by a “rapidly urbanizing world” (Puppim de Oliveira, Doll, & Moreno-Penaranda, 2014). GI is an adaptation strategy that considers the importance of urban biodiversity to create spaces that improve and protect habitats and species, as well as provide benefits for residents. GI also facilitates a cohesive system within natural spaces between the urban biodiversity and residential population (HM Government, 2011). The new system not only helps the biodiversity, but also promotes the benefits it provides for the community. We can deliver gains for locally important habitats and species